On Aliens and Teabaggers

Professor Stephen Hawking recently stated that aliens almost certainly exist and that it is probably unwise for humans to attempt to contact them at this time. Sure, in the context of his Discovery Channel television series such a statement seems innocent enough, but what the smartest man on the planet didn’t foresee was that every news station in the country would rebroadcast his comments to teabaggers.

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@John D
Turn the argument around. If you were in a peaceful, cooperative advanced society on another planet would you want us showing up on your doorstep? I sure as shit wouldn't. Human societies have rarely had a good first contact with others - we just don't play well others.

@John D
He isn't being paranoid. He's allowing for a far more advanced alien race to exist. Saying that he's incorrect about something that is purely speculative seems a little moronic. And why is it that the encounter will be just some form of communication?
As to your second comment, I think it's because they tend to have a view on life very few other people have, so they can think on a level no one else can. And, not only that, but they do seem to be philosophers, at least in some respect.

I am reminded of Sagan's Pale Blue Dot. We humans cannot seem to get along with one another. It is in our nature to compete. Throw in racial and cultural barriers and you see reality. This is of course my humble human opinion.

We study space to understand our place in the universe and in the hope of finding new habitable planets for humanity in the not so distant future.

I don't think alien intelligent life will view things differently. Discretion is the better part of valour.